Hyderabad: Residents of neighbouring apartment blocks were shaken after the collapse of a seven-storey under-construction building in Anjiahnagar, Kondapur, on Saturday, with many describing scenes of panic, dust, and uncertainty in the immediate aftermath.Jaywant and Neelima Mudliar, who live on the fifth floor of C Block in the adjoining apartment complex, were resting at home when the building came crashing down within seconds. Recalling the incident, Neelima said her husband, who usually rests in the bedroom during the afternoon, happened to be in the hall at the time.“We had performed Varalakshmi Puja at our house only yesterday. We were fortunate that none of us suffered serious injuries,” she said. The family, including their two children aged 15 and 10, had moved into the apartment only about three months ago.Eighteen-year-old Sahasra Dabbara said the collapse felt like an earthquake. “I could only see a huge cloud of dust when I came rushing down after the building collapsed. The building came crashing down in a fraction of a second,” she said.The collapse forced around 15 families to vacate their homes while officials assessed the safety of surrounding structures.“We have packed our valuables, but we have no idea where we are going to spend the night or what will happen next,” said a resident who was asked to leave the building.Residents said the incident could have been far worse. A play area located near the collapsed structure usually sees 10 to 15 children during the mornings and evenings, and sometimes even in the afternoon .“Had children been playing there at the time, the consequences could have been devastating,” a resident said.The incident has also renewed concerns over the rapid growth of paying guest (PG) accommodation and high-density housing in the Gachibowli region. “A growing influx of young professionals and students has created demand for substandard housing,” said Ramanand Reddy, who has been living in the locality for the past decade.Even as rescue teams continued their operations, residents remained anxious about the safety of nearby buildings and the uncertainty surrounding their return home.IPS officer Ritiraj said, “A JCB had been deployed to clear the debris, with the immediate priority being to rescue anyone who might still be trapped and move residents away from potentially unsafe structures. Officials are continuing to assess the extent of the damage and the safety of nearby buildings.”
